By James R. Bozajian
There were many individual contributions to the successful drive to incorporate the City of Calabasas, but few were as memorable or quite as much fun as “The Calabasas Song.”
“The Calabasas Song” (also known as “Last of the Old West but First in My Heart”) was originally penned in 1986 by the late Douglas Goodwin, an accomplished composer who at the time lived in the Vista Pointe subdivision of Calabasas Park. Throughout his career, the talented Goodwin created numerous musical scores and little jingles for various media.
“The Calabasas Song” was used to rally support for the cityhood movement, promoting community spirit as Calabasas sought independence from Los Angeles County governance. To complement the written sheet music, Goodwin actually recorded himself singing it. His sonorous voice infused the lyrics with optimism and hope for the future. The main verse goes as follows:
At the very western edge of the San Fernando Valley,
Out where Cowboys and Indians used to roam . . . .
Is a place where I find I unwind,
A quiet place I call my home . . . .
And I’m proud to say that I come from Calabasas,
Last of the Old West but First in my Heart!
We’ve got lakes and parks and streams,
An ocean breeze and hills of green,
I can’t think of any place I’d rather kick my boots off,
Than in good old C-A-L-A-B-A-S-A-S,
Where smilin’ faces greet you every day . . . .
And more than friendly, proud and pretty,
We’re a pretty special city,
Calabasas we’re behind you ALL THE WAY,
Calabasas, California, U.S.A.!
Goodwin twice re-published “The Calabasas Song,” in 2008 and 2012, with minor revisions. In 2016 it was featured prominently in the annual Calabasas State of the City Address, highlighted by a special on-stage appearance by Goodwin himself.
Only two minutes long, “The Calabasas Song” is probably never going to gain much notoriety beyond our City limits. But for those of us who call Calabasas home, it symbolizes our shared sense of civic pride.
